Weston Beach Race Weekend Preview
The Weston Beach Race is renowned for being one of the most challenging motorcycle events in the world where club-riders can compete against some of the best racers on the planet. This year's event, which is being held next weekend, is certainly no exception.
A star-studded rider line-up will once again compete against a 1000-strong field of amateur competitors, who will be challenged with the three-hour endurance race on Weston-super-Mare's seafront. Event organiser, RHL Activities, has also returned the race to it's charitable roots with a 'Beach For Life' fun run in aid of Cancer Research, as well as staging many family-orientated off-track activities.
The race weekend will see a spectacle of quads, sidecars, solo motocross and youth riders thundering down the beach to tackle the mammoth purpose-built dune course. Racing stars taking part include the legendary ten times World Motocross Champion Stefan Everts, who will compete alongside recently crowned MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray aboard their factory KTM machinery, as well as two times World Endurance Champion and Grand National Cross Country Champion, David Knight.
“I’m really looking forward to riding at Weston because it’s so different from a normal motocross race" said Everts. "It’s a very good event and it’s at the end of the season so we can go out and enjoy ourselves. It’s unusual as there’s a massive amount of starters and it’s three hours long so lots can happen. I'm not as fit as I used to be, but there's some really good riders competing this year so I'm sure it will be a great race" concluded the Belgian-ace.
MX1 Grand Prix racers Marc De Reuver, local-man Tom Church, former World Endurance Champion Paul Edmondson and World Superbike rider Chris Walker will also be making appearances in the ultra-dramatic solo race, which takes place this Sunday.
With the original Weston Beach Race, 26 years ago, being set-up in aid of charity, RHL Activities has aimed to return the focus back to fund raising for this year's event. The 'Beach For Life' Charity Fun Run takes place on Saturday at 15.30 over the Weston Beach Race course on foot. The event is in aid of Cancer Research and can be entered by anyone wishing to take part; including spectators, mums, dads, aunties, friends of competitors and the riders themselves.
In keeping with the varied shows that have taken place on Weston weekend in previous years, RHL Activities has also invited the 'Over The Top' stunt squad to entertain the crowds away from the racing action nearer the shore. Over The Top are renowned for their impressive two and four-wheeled acrobatics, with the team providing a thrilling show in a specifically set-aside arena. The shows, which are certainly worth watching, will take place on both days. This year is particularly special as it marks the final occasion that the infamous Over The Top Gorilla will entertain the crowds at Weston, as he aims to retire at the end of 2008.
"This year we've put a big programme of events together to partner the racing, which is sure to be exciting with such a talented field of legendary racers" said Director of RHL Activities, Gareth Hockey
"Even if you're not a bike fan, there is nothing like seeing 1000 racers gunning down the beach all at once from the start - it really is quite special. The race is a challenge of endurance, and a little bit of luck, as it's so demanding on the bikes and the riders, and we're proud to have some of the industry's very best involved this year"
"There will be trade stands for motorcycle enthusiasts as well as something for the family, as we want to make it a great weekend out for everyone, whether they are into bikes or not. We'll also be putting on a stunt show, and we've brought the 'festival' back to its charity roots with the Beach For Life fun run." concluded Hockey.
Monster Energy has backed the event this year, and the drinks giant will be providing samples of its products over the course of the weekend. Monster Energy is a big supporter of high-adrenalin sports, and its involvement with the race this year also includes a live entertainment package from DJ's aboard the company's purpose built reefer truck.
Race-goers also have the chance of winning a quad, kindly supplied by Polaris UK. The Polaris Outlaw 90, one of the best-selling youth four-wheelers, has many features and will be up for raffle on the Polaris stand at the event, which will be drawn straight after Sunday's main solo race.
Limited trade stands have ensured some exclusivity will take place at the Weston Beach affair, as only some of the UK's best retailers have been able to snap up the opportunity to head down to Weston. A huge variety will be on offer, including crafts, jewellery and other exciting products.
The event starts on Saturday 11th October with the quad, sidecar, youth and Beach for life races. Sunday will stage the main solo race, but there's certainly plenty to do over the course of the weekend with the many planned activities
. Camping places are still available from £45 with facilities including 24-hour security, showers, toilets, food outlets and a shuttle bus to the beach. Please go to the website for more details.
Tickets for a day pass are £20 for adults and £5 for children aged four to 12. There are some pre-booking weekend passes still available at £30 for adults and £7 for children (age four to 12) while a family pass is £68 for the weekend. Gates open at 8am on Saturday and 7.30am on the Sunday
. There will be a secured motorcycle park and an area to leave helmets and leathers. The charge is £2.50 per day per bike to park and 50p per item to leave your gear. The area will close at 5pm.
The timetable for the weekend is: Friday 10th
9.00 - 18.30 The site is open free of charge
09.00 - 18.00 Rider signing on and scrutineering
Saturday 11th
08.00 - 09.00 Scrutineering (Youth classes)
08.00 - 09.00 Marshals sign on
09.30 - 10.30 Youth Quad Race
11.00 - 14.00 Cromwell Trucks Quad/Sidecar Race
14.30 - 15.30 Youth 65cc Race
15.30 - Beach For Life race
15.45 - 16.30 Over The Top Stunt Show
16.30 - Presentation of Awards
Sunday 12th
09.45 - 10.45 Youth 85cc race
11.00- 12.15 Over The Top Stunt Show
12.30 - 3.30 Doodson Motorsport Insurance Solo Race
16.15 - Presentation of awards For further information log on to www.wbruk.com
Posted: 6/10/2008
